Constant-Strain Thermal Cycling of a Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 High-Temperature Shape Memory Alloy

Abstract

The effect of various pre-straining routines on the recovery stresses of a Ni-rich Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 high-temperature shape memory alloy was investigated in tension and compression. The recovery stresses, obtained by means of constant-strain thermal cycling, were evaluated after isothermal (up to ±2 % applied strain at room temperature) or after isobaric thermal cycling at stress levels between ±100 and 400 MPa. The material exhibited high force generation capability with recovery stresses of nearly 1.5 GPa on the first cycle under particular pre-strain conditions. The recovery stresses are shown to decay during subsequent cycles using an upper cycle temperature of 300 °C with a saturated stress level nearing 1.1 GPa in compression.